Thanks, General
A Kinder, Gentler Army?
The first part of the following is an order by General McClellan forbidding his troops to maraud the locals, which would seem to me to make good policy sense. As you can read, the second order controls the speed that army mules and horses are driven. My first reaction was “Twilight Zone” because certainly humans and animals have already been killed and mangled in battle, but I guess it makes sense to control speeds and not wear the animals out before it is necessary. Maybe what put me off is The Times Mercy headline.
From The New-York Times June 22, 1862:
ORDERS BY GEN. McCLELLAN.
…
MERCY TO BEASTS.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
CAMP LINCOLN, Va., June 12, 1862.
1. All fast riding or driving of public horses and mules is positively prohibited, unless in case of necessity. Trains will not move faster than a walk, except under written orders to the officer or wagon-master in charge. Officers sending mounted messengers with dispatches, which are to be carried at a faster pace than a walk, will indicate on the envelope the gate the messenger is to take, whether a trot or a gallop. The same directions may be indicated by the seals of the envelope — one seal for the walk, two for the trot, and three for the gallop. Officers will be held responsible for the instructions they give to mounted orderlies or trains with regard to their gait.
All Provost Marshals and Provost Guards are specially charged with the enforcement of this order.
2. The present camp of these headquarters will be known as Camp Lincoln.
By command of Major-Gen. McCLELLAN.
S. WILLIAMS. Assistant Adjutant-General.
